Responding to Negative Behavior Part 3 Scaffolding Classroom Management with Positive Behavior Support Austin Independent School District, Learning Support Services Updated April 2013 Tool #1 Strong Voice Strong voice is a foundational piece of behavior management. Teachers must show confidence and a sense of calm as they address student behavior. When addressing the whole class, a group, or an individual, the Strong Voice technique will display a sense of calm and confidence. There are five principles of Strong Voice: 1. Economy of Language a. Fewer words are stronger than more. b. Use the words that best focus the students on what is most important. c. Be clear and crisp, then stop talking. 2. Do not Talk Over a. If what you’re saying is important, then every student needs to hear it. b. Be sure your voice is not competing with other noises. c. Start a sentence and break it off to show that you will not go on until you have full attention. d. Consider using an attention signal. 3. Do not Engage a. Once you have set the topic of conversation, avoid engaging in other topics until you have resolved the topic you initiated. b. Refrain from responding to students’ hooks to disengage the original topic. c. Repeat your direction or request, rather than entertaining a student’s reason for the behavior. d. Tell students what to do, rather than what not to do – be specific and clear. 4. Square up/Stand still a. Show with your body that you are committed to each request or directive you make. b. Turn, with two feet and two shoulders, to face the object of your words directly. c. Make sure your eye contact is direct. d. Stand straight or lean towards the student(s). e. If the student is more than a few feet away, move toward him. f. Stop moving when giving the direction. g. Focus on giving the directions, do not multitask. 5. Quiet Power a. Get slower and quieter when you want control. b. Drop your voice and make students strain a bit to listen. c. Exude poise and calm. Do’s Don’ts Use a formal pose Stand and talk in manner that indicates that what you have to say is important Let students know when they can talk to you about their concerns, rather than when you are addressing a specific issue or behavior Remain calm Be prepared to calmly address noncompliance Be loud Get in a student’s face Be aggressive Humiliate a student Act sarcastic when you are being serious Sound harsh or angry Force maintained eye contact Adapted from Lemov, Doug. Teach Like a Champion. San Francsico, California: Jossey-Bass, 2010. Tool #2 Acknowledgements There are many things students need to do, certain behaviors, that will increase their opportunity to learn and the teacher’s ability to teach. Students are likely to engage in behaviors that you pay attention to and need to clearly know which behaviors are positive. The use of acknowledgements clarifies which behaviors you identify as positive. Address Positive Behavior like a Slot Machine Many people flock to slot machines. The chance to win draws them in to pay the machine and pull the lever; what is going to happen? Sometimes it pays off, other times, nothing. The mystery and unpredictability keep people returning to try again and again. When delivering acknowledgements, act like a slot machine. Do’s Acknowledge like a slot machine Notice what students do right Acknowledge behaviors worthy of notice Provide praise after giving directions or when noticing minor negative behavior Be targeted and specific; focus on individuals and identify the behavior that is being acknowledged Mix up judgment-based and non-judgmental acknowledgments Tie acknowledgements to posted expectations Be sincere and accurate Maintain a 3:1 ratio of interactions Don’ts Be sarcastic Acknowledge a whole group/class when all are not exhibiting appropriate behavior(s) Use an acknowledgement as a way to say “why don’t you . . .” to another student Acknowledge publicly if you think it will embarrass the recipient Be insincere Notice the same few kids all the time Acknowledge excessively Feel obligated to notice everyone, every time Force acknowledgments to reach a 3:1 ratio Generate a list of sentence stems to start off acknowledgements and redirections that feel comfortable and natural. Consider the behaviors you previously listed and the tips and tricks on the previous page. Tool #3 Fluent Redirection There are many things students need to refrain from doing, certain behaviors, that will decrease their opportunity to learn and the teacher’s ability to teach. Though there are times to ignore negative behaviors, you will need to address them often times so that students understand which behaviors will harm the learning process. This should be done as quickly and quietly as possible to minimize the impact on the flow of instruction and learning. Address Negative Behavior like a Soda Machine Put your money in a soda machine and it is predictable; you get what you pay for. It is consistent and you know what to expect. There is no rush of excitement or anticipation. People keep coming back, not for the mystery, but for a particular outcome. When delivering redirections or other corrective actions, act like a soda machine. Do’s Don’ts When you notice inappropriate or negative behaviors, redirect the student without engaging in a power struggle Fluently redirect the student to minimize the opportunity for the student to argue Use Allen Mendler’s PEP strategy: Privacy, Eye Contact and Proximity Follow the 4-step process: 1. State what you expect the student to do and move on 2. 5-20 seconds later observe if the student was compliant 3. If so, acknowledge the change in behavior 4. If not, ensure the other students have are engaged in an independent activity and dialogue with the student (see the teaching interaction) Redirect individuals publicly Get in a student’s face Be loud to make your point Address an individual publicly Use individuals to make your point to a class or group Yell Get in a student’s face Say stop, quit it, or don’t Threaten Bluff by saying you will do something that you are unwilling to do Wait for the student to be compliant Embarrass Show your frustration Send a student to the hall Generate a list of sentence stems to start off acknowledgements and redirections that feel comfortable and natural. Consider the behaviors you previously listed and the tips and tricks on the previous page. Mendler, Allen. Power Struggles. Rochester, New York: Discipline Associates, 1997. Tool #4 Teaching Interaction The Teaching Interaction is a seven step, guided discussion in which, the teacher is the one guiding. The general idea has been documented for over thirty years. There are many models to choose from and in general they include identifying the inappropriate behavior, the desired behavior, a rationale and an opportunity to show understanding. The Teaching Interaction Script 1. Start with praise/empathy 2. Identify the problem behavior 3. Identify the expected behavior 4. Justify the expected behavior 5. Check for understanding/practice/role play 6. Deliver corrective action, if needed 7. End with praise/empathy Rationales and Additional Information This is disarming to a student State the negative behavior(s) observed, this ensures the concern is with the behavior, not the student Provide clear expectations concerning the student’s behavior A rationale increases the likelihood that the student will meet the expectation Make sure the student got the point you were sending If needed, then deliver the consequences unemotionally and quickly End on a positive note, assure the student that all is not lost, and you are willing to keep a positive focus Do’s Respond to misbehavior from the mindset of providing a replacement behavior and a rationale for appropriate behavior Use calm, neutral body language and tone of voice when delivering the Teaching Interaction Wait until the student is in a receptive frame of mind for the Teaching Interaction Give wait time and check back later if the student is not ready Provide a space for private reflection and redirection in your classroom Post a copy of the Teaching Interaction where you can reference it before or while engaging with a student Practicing the Teaching Interaction: 1. Identify misbehaviors that consistently recur for an individual student 2. Script the Teaching Interaction to address the recurring misbehavior 3. Practice delivering the scripted Teaching Interaction Don’ts Talk to a student across the room Raise your voice Make it a public conversation Try and make a student talk with you Take more than 2 minutes to complete the teaching interaction Send or take a student to the hall Use an angry tone of voice Make threats Engage in side conversations Argue about your expectations or rationales Using the Teaching Interaction: 1. Review the steps of the Teaching Interaction before engaging with the student 2. Document the use of the Teaching Interaction and the student’s response Tool #5 Menu of Rewards and Corrective Actions Rewards are reinforcements provided to students who exhibit appropriate behaviors. Corrective Actions are consequences utilized to help change student behavior. Brainstorm of a menu of rewards and corrective actions for each category listed below. Then, refer to the list of common negative behaviors in your classroom and determine the corrective action to be utilized in responding to continuing negative behaviors. Do’s Don’ts Use rewards like a slot machine Deliver corrective actions like a soda machine Reward and correct fairly Let students know why they are being rewarded Reward behaviors that are worthy of recognition Use in goal setting with students Maintain a focus on learning and exhibiting expected behaviors Follow through with what you say Correct publicly Deliver corrective action as a punishment Act angry when delivering corrective action Use rewards or corrective actions to make a point to the other students Humiliate or embarrass Overreact Reward when a reward is not earned Reward students more than what was earned Deliver a reward like a slot machine Time Earned Deliver a corrective action like a soda machine Time Owed Recognition Restitution Referral Referral Privileges Earned Privileges Lost Parent Contact Parent Contact Behaviors Tool #6 Refocus Zone There are the times when a student is too worked up, frustrated, or otherwise unwilling or unable to cease the negative behaviors. At these times it is good to have a place in your room where the student can go and be away from the rest of the class and have an opportunity to calm down, and then return to the activity. A refocus zone is such a place. Planning a Refocus Zone 1. Location 2. Furnishings 3. Materials 4. Independent Activity 5. Expectations 6. Name 7. Documentation Is it separate from the general population? Can you constantly monitor? Do you need more than one? Seating Postings Lighting Sign in Timer Reflection Activity Writing Supplies Functional Level Time Frame For Recovery For Transition For the Independent Activity Tie to your subject Tie to school mascot Make it inviting What information do you need? When will you complete it? Do’s Make it inviting and calming Encourage students to go on their own volition, when they feel a need Provide it as an option when responding to continued negative behavior Maintain materials Limit the time a student remains in the zone If a student refuses to complete self reflection activity; 1. explain your concern, 2. explain the expected change in behavior, 3. provide a rationale and 4. check for understanding Don’ts Let students take the zone as a permanent seat Try to force a student to go to the refocus zone Make it feel like the corner with a dunce cap Treat it as a punishment Leave a student waiting longer than the allotted time Try to make a student complete the reflection activity Let supplies run out Let students leave the space in a messy condition Call out from afar to a student in the refocus zone Let more than one student in the refocus zone at a time Tool #7 SAMA Verbal De-escalation Structure response to extreme behavior to minimize and de-escalate the behavior, rather than provoke a power struggle. 1. The Script I see you ______. 2. Are you feeling (angry)? Additional Information Identify the behavior that tips you off that the student is emotionally escalated. Inquire if you interpret the observed behavior correctly. 3. I can see that you are (angry). Affirm what the student says. 4. What are you (angry) about? Inquire why the student is feeling that emotion. 5. So you’re (angry) about ____. Is that right? 6. What do you want? 7. What have you tried? Restate what you heard to verify your understanding and demonstrate that you are listening. Assist the student in identifying what options are reasonably available. Guide the student through a process of self-reflection. 8. How well has that worked? 9. What else are you willing to try? 10. Will you let me know how it goes? Help the student assess their progress in dealing with the situation. Provide alternatives if the student is struggling with identifying other ways to deal with the situation – the student chooses the next step. Follow up with the student in an appropriate amount of time; this will build trust. Do’s Keep a copy of the Verbal De-escalation script where you can easily access it Practice the verbal de-escalation script Provide an independent activity for the rest of your students to engage in if a classmate begins to escalate Get to know your students and know what might lead to or provoke an escalated response Stay calm when engaging in Verbal De-escalation A student may need some cool down or processing time during the Verbal De-escalation – provide wait time and check back later Practicing SAMA Verbal De-escalation 1. Anticipate an escalated behavior. 2. Practice delivering the scripted de-escalation. 3. Script the verbal de-escalation for the behavior. Don’ts Force a student to talk De-escalate in an overly public manner Tell a student how she is feeling Get hung up on the flow of the script Be sarcastic React if you feel attacked by what the student says Tell a student what to do Blame a student for the situation Continue doing or saying anything that seems to escalate the situation Argue with a student Using Verbal De-escalation 1. Follow the response protocol. 2. Review the steps of the Verbal De-escalation before engaging with the student. 3. Document the use of the Verbal De-escalation and the student’s response. SAMA, http://www.satorilearning.com/ Tool #8 A Response Protocol The Response Protocol is a systematic process designed to ensure consistent teacher response to student negative behavior. It may help you respond more like a soda machine. The Response Protocol exemplifies how the tools in this manual might be utilized, based on the type and severity of the negative behavior. Note: Italicized text indicates teacher internal processing. Bold text indicates teacher-student interaction. Initial or Repeating Negative Behavior Individual: Group: 1. Identify negative behavior 1. Identify negative behavior 2. Identify positive behavior 2. Identify positive behavior 3. Acknowledge positive behavior (3) 3. Use attention signal 4. Check for positive behavior 4. Review activity expectations 5. Acknowledge positive behavior OR redirect negative behavior 5. Acknowledge positive behavior (3) Minor non-disruptive: 6. Redirect negative behavior Minor disruptive: 1. Ignore negative behavior, until 1. Provide the student with the choice of engaging you have time to engage in expected behavior or moving to the refocus Continuing Negative Behavior 2. Begin documentation zone 3. Conduct teaching interaction 2. Engage the rest of the class in an activity 4. Complete documentation 3. Begin documentation 4. Conduct teaching interaction 5. Complete documentation Escalated: 1. Engage the rest of the class in an independent activity 2. Conduct verbal de-escalation, if warranted 3. Provide the student with the choice of engaging in expected behavior or moving to the refocus zone 4. Check in with the class 5. Begin documentation 6. Conduct the teaching interaction 7. Complete documentation Crisis Behavior 1. Identify the crisis behavior 2. Identify the appropriate crisis response plan 3. Conduct the Crisis Response Plan 4. Document use of the Crisis Response Plan Quick Reference of Additional Tools The following strategies are organized in the following categories: 1. Establish a positive relationship with your Students 2. Create a “Family Feel” in Your Classroom 3. Establish a Positive Relationship w/ Students’ Families 4. Teach and Review Behavior Expectations 5. Use Student Peer Support 6. Class-wide and Individual Student Incentives 7. Help Students Remove Themselves Physically or Mentally from a Negative Situation This section is a compilation of proven strategies, picked up from educators throughout Austin ISD. STRATEGY LOOKS LIKE . . . SOUNDS LIKE Establish a positive relationship with your Students 3:1 Ratio of Positive to Negative Interactions Put Money in the Relationship Piggy Bank 2:10 Positive Interactions Avoid Hostility Cycle 1 week Positive Campaign Greet Each Student by Name at Door Redirect Misbehavior Privately Proximity Guided Choices How do you feel today? What is the unmet need? “They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” C. Buchner 3 responses to positive behaviors for every 1 response to negative behavior will maintain current behavior. Use 7:1 ratio to improve behavior. Post a visual reminder of 3:1 for yourself. If you add to the relationship bank (positive interactions and connections), then students respond better when you make a withdrawal (redirection, consequence). Post a picture of a piggy bank on the wall as a reminder. Spend 2 uninterrupted minutes every day for 10 days connecting one-on-one with a struggling student. (From Allen Mendler’s Book: Power Struggles) Rather than one-upmanship with a student in a power struggle, find win-win situations. (A. Mendler’s Power Struggles) Find a positive quality(ies) that the student displays related to a specific behavior goal. Spend one week praising the student each time he/she demonstrates this quality. Be specific. (A. Mendler’s Power Struggles) As student walk into your room: “Good morning, Michael. Hello, Maria. It’s good to see. Hi, Kyle. You made a great shot at the game yesterday!” Kneel down so that you are not standing over a student. Whisper. Or, leave a note or visual reminder on student’s desk. Avoid public reprimands. Smile. Move close to a student so that he/she knows that you are monitoring for positive behavior. Circulate the room so that you are not always in one place. “You may work quietly in your desk or move to this desk.” Even beyond redirecting, give students choices often in your class, so they truly feel that they have a voice. For example, “For homework, I would like you to solve 5 of the problems on page 8. You pick the 5.” “Point to facial expressions picture.” “Draw a picture of how you feel.” “Use words to describe how you feel.” Try to determine the underlying need that the student tries to fill with the negative behavior. Then, fill the need with a positive replacement behavior. Create a “Family Feel” in Your Classroom Create Class Commitments Students commit to… Teacher commits to… Calming lighting, Cozy Feel, Desks in Groups, Physical Classroom Layout Calming Music, Student-Created Signs. Do a 360 walk of your room. Is it warm and student-centered? Student Voice 90% of the talking in the class should come from students. Often, the opposite takes place. Student Interest Inventory: Survey your Survey students on their interests beyond your class and academically. Directly reference these students! frequently. Establish a Positive Relationship w/ Students’ Families “You---the parent---are the expert on “I want to thank you for raising a child who (say positive trait). I need your help. You know your child better your child” Phone Calls than anyone. What strategies could I use to encourage him to come to class on time?” Emails Individual emails, Class e-newsletters. Positive Notes Make a point to send one home to each child at the beginning of the year and throughout the year. The teacher and student have a journal. Every day, the teacher writes one positive thing the student did and Back-and-Forth Mini Journal the student writes one positive thing the teacher did. The more specific, the better. Give one to parent, as well. Thank them for raising a great student who…(list Appreciation Certificates trait). Postcard about the Student Send a postcard home with a student that describes a specific positive choice he/she made. Teach and Review Behavior Expectations Create a Classroom Management Plan Teacher Reads Expectations for Every Transition Student Reads Expectation for Every Transition Attention Signal Review Expectations & Social Skills Scaffolding Classroom Management with Positive Behavior Support is available. Ask your external coach. “We are now moving from an independent work activity to a group activity. Let’s review our behavior expectations…” (Read from poster.) “We are moving from an independent work activity to a group activity. Jose, will you please remind your classmates of our expectations…” (Challenge them to do it without looking!) Examples: Hand raised & countdown 5, 4, 5, 2, 1 123- Eyes on Me, Musical Clap, Chime, Key Word. Student Created Posters, Videos, Skits. Use Student Peer Support PBS Buddy “Home Court” Advantage Peer Mediation Peer Reminder Class Meeting Student PBS Roles Student Wear Reminders Conflict Resolution Mat Pair up students as “PBS Buddies” that keep each other on task. Encourage them to have a secret code word or picture that they use to redirect each other. Discuss how your class members are all part of a team. Peers encourage each other to make good choices by saying “Home Court” when a “teammate” makes a negative play (choice). Keep a scoreboard. (Mini Lessons for Literature Circles) When 2 students have an issue, refer them to a peer mediator. Or, have a “Positive Court” in your class that seeks win-win solutions. “If someone next to you is talking, please ask them to stop.” Arrange desks in a circle to discuss ways to address a class behavior issue. One person talks at a time. At the end, review what everyone agrees to do. PBS Patrol Team (divided by expectation), Keeper of the Quiet, Keeper of the Timer, Be Positive Cheerleader. PBS Hat, Shirts, Ties—Buy them cheap at thrift shops and write positive slogans or expectations on them. If 2 students have an issue, they stand on a conflict resolution map with footprints. With each step they take toward resolution, they take a step on the mat. At the center, they shake hands on the agreed solution. Class-wide and Individual Student Incentives Academic-Basket-Ball As a reward, review academics through a class basketball game using a tape-ball and trash can. Intra-Class “Behavior Olympics” Post earned points/graphs by class period. Competition Public Recognition Wall of Fame, Awards, Certificates, Gold Plate Award, Citizen of the Day Pat Yourself on the Back Tell your student/class, “Pat yourself/selves on the back for… (describe specific positive behavior).” “Kiss your Give a High 5 brain.” “Give yourself/your neighbor a high 5 for…” A / A+ Day Students are either on an A or A+ (more freedom) day. Increased responsibility = increased freedom. Teacher puts marbles (green=class is doing great, red=class needs to improve) in a jar. At the end of the week, Green and Red Marble Jar in front of the class, randomly select a marble. Green=class reward. Red=sorry, try again next week. Create a “connect the dots” picture of an incentive towards which the student is working. When he/she makes Connect-the-Dots progress, he/she connects 2 dots. This continues until the picture is completed. Keeper of the class______________ A “Top PBS” student gets to keep the class pet (stuffed) or class object with him/her all day. Positive Referral to the Office Send a student to an administrator with a positive note describing a specific good choice or action. List your PBS Guidelines at the top of a matrix. As the class demonstrates the Guideline, they get an X (tic-tacPBS Guideline BINGO or TIC-TAC-TOE toe) or a B-I-N-G-O letter. Spell a PBS or Academic Word The class earns a letter every day/period/hour they are on task as a whole. Goal: Spell the whole word. Spin the Wheel of Fortune Instead of receiving the reward, a student can choose to spin the wheel for something better/worse. Help Students Remove Themselves Physically or Mentally from a Negative Situation Squeeze Ball Have a squishy ball or object available that a student can squeeze when he/she needs to feel calm or refocus. Meaningful Object Ask student what object in the room has a soothing effect when he/she looks at it or has it on the desk. Physical Class Calming Breaks Light Stretch, “Massage your temples,” Go to website: http://esl.about.com/od/englishlessonplans/a/braingym.htm Create a “Cool down” area that is not a punishment; rather, a place for students to reflect and refocus. Give it Refocus area “Antarctica” a creative name and have calming pictures. Reflection Sheet Create reflection sheets that ask open ended questions, including: “If you could have a DO OVER, what would “Do Over” you have done differently?” Reminder Picture Place a picture on a student’s desk, i.e. Give a picture of an owl & whisper, “Make a wise choice.” PBS Brainstorming Session Host an intervention brainstorming session as a team or with a grade level team, counselor, etc. If you write a referral, place it on the student’s desk and say, “I’m going to let you decide by your behavior PRE - Referral to the Office whether I send this to the office or tear it up over the trash can. In fact, if you do well, I’ll let you tear it up.” Examples of Self Reflection and Documentation My Action Plan is a student reflection sheet adapted from Harry Wong’s First Days of School. The student answers three questions,( What happened? What did you do? What will you do next time?) It provides the student an opportunity to make the connection between what was going on and his reaction to the situation and what he can do in the future as a replacement behavior. Reproducible Included Student Hassle Log is a checklist for students to quickly identify what happened and how they feel about the situation. There is space for the student to include comments. This was developed at Martin Middle School. Reproducible Included Draw It is a way for students to communicate without writing. Take a piece of paper and fold it in half. Instruct the student to draw what she did on the left side and the expected behavior on the right side. Do’s Keep completed reflections, filed by student or class Refer to reflections and documentation during conferences with parents, colleagues or administrator when discussing behavior Make extra copies of reflection or documentation sheets and keep them handy Maintain confidentiality, share when professionally appropriate Provide 3-5 minutes for the student to complete the self reflection Don’ts Leave used or partially completed forms laying around Throw them away Use as a punishment Make students copy from a script Try to make a student complete a self reflection Argue with a student about the contents of a self reflection Leave completed or partially completed reflections laying out Student Action Plan Hassle Log Name _________________________ Date _____________ Time ______________ Location_________________________ Teacher ___________________________ What happened? I didn’t like the assignment I didn’t have my supplies I was late to class I became distracted What did you do? Hit Threw something Fell asleep Yelled Cursed I was off task I was angry because Other Lied Talked out Disrupted class Talked disrespectfully Did not accept consequences How do you think you handled yourself? Poorly Not so well How angry were you? Burning Really angry What could you do next time? Count to 10 As for some time to cool off Request to talk to ____________ Okay Moderately angry Good Walked out of class Was out of my seat Teased someone Other Great A little, but okay Not at all Ignore Be better prepared next time Other Do you have any other comments? Provided by Martin Middle School MY ACTION PLAN You have 5 minutes to complete your action plan. Take the time to seriously and honestly answer the following questions and you will have created your action plan that will help you change the behavior that is taking away from your or other’s education. What happened? What did you do? What will you do differently next time? _________________________________________ Student’s Signature __________________ Date Modified from Wong, H. (1999). First Days of School Further Study Helpful Print Resources: Canter, L. (2006). Lee Canter's classroom management for academic success. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree. Connolly, T. (1995). The well-managed classroom: Promoting student success through social skill instruction. Boys Town, Neb: Boys Town Press. Jones, F. H., Jones, P., & Jones, J. L. T. (2000). Tools for teaching: Discipline, instruction, motivation. Santa Cruz, CA: F.H. Jones & Associates. Kvols, K. J., & Riedler, B. (1998). Redirecting children's behavior. Seattle, Wash: Parenting Press. Mendler, A., N. (1997). Power struggles: Successful techniques for educators. Rochester, N.Y.: Discipline Associates. Simonsen, B., Fairbanks, S., Briesch, A., Myers, D., & Sugai, G. (2008). Evidence-based Practices in Classroom Management: Considerations for Research to Practice. Education & Treatment of Children. 31 (3), 351-380. Sprick, R. S. (2006). Discipline in the secondary classroom: A positive approach to behavior management. Jossey-Bass teacher. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Sprick, R. S., Garrison, M., & Howard, L. M. (1998). CHAMPs: A proactive and positive approach to classroom management for grades K-9. Randy Sprick's safe & civil school series. Eugene, OR: Pacifice Northwest Publishing. Trussell, R. (2008). Classroom Universals to Prevent Problem Behaviors. Intervention in School and Clinic. 43 (3), 179-185. Wong, H. K., & Wong, R. T. (1998). The first days of school: How to be an effective teacher. Mountainview, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications. Helpful Websites: www.childstudysystem.com www.tbsi.org www.pbis.org www.ascd.org